# 掌閱iReader vs 掌阅小说

The clearest difference is ads: 掌阅小说 at none against 掌閱iReader's shown. 掌閱iReader's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and rating (3.3 vs 3.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 掌閱iReader sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and 掌阅小说 sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

掌閱iReader holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 掌閱iReader has 180 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

掌閱iReader ships an update every 3 weeks, 掌阅小说 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 掌閱iReader | 掌阅小说 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (180 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ireader/id1050576032/reviews)** | [3.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1645037601/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **180** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 28.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 132 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 15 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HK IReader Technology Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1110639431) | [新雨 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1605324507) |

## What reviewers say

### 掌閱iReader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ireader/id1050576032)

This app offers a comfortable reading experience with a vast library of authorized novels. Explore diverse genres and popular titles, with personalized settings and timely updates. Discover new stories and connect with fellow readers.

**Highlights:** Massive library of authorized novels, Diverse genres including romance, fantasy, and sci-fi, Personalized reading settings (font, background, night mode), Timely updates and notifications for new chapters, Popular novel rankings and recommendations, User-friendly interface with smooth page turning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 600 iCoins | $0.99 | one-time |
| VIP of 1 month | $3.99 | one-time |
| 3000 iCoins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 6000 iCoins | $9.99 | one-time |
| VIP of 3 months | $10.99 | one-time |
| 12000 Coins | $19.99 | one-time |
| 18000 iCoins | $29.99 | one-time |
| VIP of 12 months | $39.99 | one-time |
| 30000iCons | $49.99 | one-time |
| 60000閲餠 | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Extensive free book resources available
- ⬆️ File upload feature from PC to phone
- 👁️ Eye-care reading modes
- 🎨 User-friendly interface (in older versions)
- 🔊 Text-to-speech/audio reading functionality (previously)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive advertisements throughout app
- 🐛 App crashes and won't open
- 🌐 Forced traditional Chinese characters only
- 🗑️ Removed text-to-speech audio reading feature
- ❌ Missing simplified Chinese language option

**Reported bugs**

- App won't open or displays blank page
- PDF documents cannot be opened
- TXT file import errors
- iOS 13 compatibility crashes
- Automatic forced updates to traditional Chinese

**Requested features**

- Full-screen page turning functionality
- Landscape view mode
- Simplified Chinese language support
- Text translation/lookup feature
- Automatic scrolling reading mode


### 掌阅小说

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1645037601)

Access a vast library of classic and ongoing novels across various genres. Enjoy a clean interface, frequent updates, and a convenient text-to-speech feature for an immersive reading experience.

**Highlights:** Extensive novel collection, Multiple genres available, Regular content updates, Clean and elegant interface, One-click audiobook function, Subscription plans

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP包月 | $3.99 | per month |
| 普通月度会员 | $4.49 | per year |
| VIP包季 | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| 普通季度会员 | $11.49 | per year |
| 普通年费会员 | $38.99 | per year |
| 超级VIP包月 | $39.99 | per month |
| VIP包年 | $39.99 | per year |
| 超级年费会员 | $45.99 | per year |
| 700金幣 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 4500金幣 | $5.99 | one-time |
| 8000金幣 | $9.99 | one-time |
| 20000金幣 | $20.99 | one-time |
| 45000金幣 | $42.99 | one-time |
| 99999金幣 | $84.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 掌閱iReader free?

掌閱iReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is 掌阅小说 free?

掌阅小说 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, 掌閱iReader or 掌阅小说?

掌閱iReader is rated higher. 掌閱iReader averages 3.3 out of 5 from 180 ratings, while 掌阅小说 averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do 掌閱iReader or 掌阅小说 have ads?

掌閱iReader shows ads; 掌阅小说 does not.

### Which is updated more often, 掌閱iReader or 掌阅小说?

掌閱iReader ships an update every 3 weeks, and 掌阅小说 every 4 months. Most recently, 掌閱iReader was updated on October 26, 2026 and 掌阅小说 on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*